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Author Notes: According to the “Urban Dictionary,” granola can be defined as:

“An adjective used to describe people who are environmentally aware (flower child, tree-hugger), open-minded, left-winged, socially aware and active, gay friendly, anti-oppressive/discriminatory (racial, sexual, gender, class, age, etc.) with an organic and natural emphasis on living, who might refrain from consuming or using anything containing animals and animal by-products (for health and/or environmental reasons), as well as limit consumption of what he or she does consume, as granola people are usually concerned about wasting resources. Usually buy only fair-trade goods and refrain from buying from large corporations, as most exploit the environment as well as their workers, which goes against granola core values. The choice of not removing body hair (see ‘amazon’) and drug use are not characteristics that define granola people, and people, regardless of granola status, may or may not partake in said activities. This definition is sometimes confused with hippie.”

I’d like to wear the “granola” badge proudly, and I’ll bet this granola recipe can bring out the granola that lives deep down in you too! Okay, it’s a goofy thought but if tree-huggin’ ain’t your gig, this will at least get you rolling for a perfect day living your best life. - Happyolks - Happyolks

Food52 Review: I am a huge fan of homemade granola and I just love this recipe by Happyolks; I've nicknamed it "loaded granola" because of all of the great stuff in here. I liked how all of the nuts, seeds, raisins and spices worked together to create a very flavorful mix without all that much sweetener. I left out the nutmeg because I don't really like it and used Lyle's cane syrup instead of the maple or rice syrup, otherwise I followed the recipe exactly. When you bake it, definitely follow the instructions to spread the granola out between 2-3 pans, because if you pile it all onto one pan, it will take much longer than an hour to bake. With plain Greek yogurt and berries, this is pretty much my ideal breakfast. - WinnieAb - WinnieAb

Makes plenty to share

4-5cups Bobs Red Mill GF Oats

2cups plain Kamut puffs

1cup crushed raw almonds

1cup crushed raw walnuts

1/2 cup crushed raw pecans

1cup raw pumpkin seeds

3/4 cup unsweetened raisins

1/2cup ground flax seeds or chia seeds

1/4 cup chia seeds

1/4cup raw coconut flakes

2 tablespoons cinnamon

1 tablespoon nutmeg

1teaspoon ground ginger

1/2cup Maple or Brown Rice Syrup

Mix all the dry ingredients in a jumbo-sized bowl.

Slowly stir in syrup and used a rubber spatula to coat the mixture lightly. If you feel like there isn't enough to go around, add just a tad of walnut or safflower oil. This isn't meant to be a super sweet granola though.

Lay out the sticky mixture on 2 or 3 cookie pans with ledges so things don't get too exciting in the oven.

Bake for close to an hour on the lowest setting of your oven, probably 200' F.

Allow to cool and harden for about 15 minutes on the sheets before storing in airtight tupperware or a glass jar. Enjoy with greek yogurt and summer berries and stone fruits.

I happily embrace most of Happyyolks' left-leaning qualifications. The son and the daughter were both born at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, I'm largely vegetarian with the exception of locally raised chickens and bison. But I am seriously allergic to nuts, and would love, love, love to see a granola free of them. I don't especially care about the protein compromise as I make my own Greek yogurt, but nut-free would truly be heavenly.